That all the garden’s realm in ruin lay. That banished was the monarch of the mead, And the bower’s beauty all was devastate. And when the monarch August heard the news The tidings made him quiver like a leaf. Full of impatience and anxiety He hastened to explore the garden glade. Although he well believed the tidings true, He wished to have authentic evidence, And that this evidence he might attain, A spy must needs be on the errand sent. XLIV KING AUTUMN SENDS A RECONNOITRING PARTY TO THE CITY OF ROSE GARDEN, AND IN A MOMENT CONQUERS IT, AND PAINTS IT IN HIS OWN LIVERY A right swift messenger he had despatched, Like dust upon the wind the herald sped. His nature was of heat and frost combined, The Persians called him Scatterer of the Leaves; And when this title was accorded not, They called him Plucker of the Summer Leaves. The monarch August thus accosted him: “Now hear my words aright, thou speedy one, Beget thee at this instant to that bower, And bring me news of all that thou shalt see, And as thou flittest like a spirit free, Show thyself merciful to Gulistan. Let moderation all thy conduct rule, And gain the hearts of all the country side. Show not thyself a sudden blast of frost, But first appear a warm and sultry air; Begin to scatter round the kindly gold, And happiness through power and honor bring. As thyself thou art in color rich, Scatter thy tints o’er every leaf and blade.” As the leaf-plucker heard the monarch’s speech In silence he departed on his way. Quickly arrived he at the rose garden, Fulfilling the commission of his king. He scattered light and beauty as he went, And everything he overlaid with gold. And yet his bearing was not harsh or strict, And he brought blessing whereso’er he went. He mingled in the middle of the flowers, With kindly tenderness he played with them, He made inquiry, as he well was fit, With his impetuous pertinacity. And the parterres with many a hue were stained. Needless his operations to recount. When he the plight of the rose garden saw, Straight to the King he made a swift return. Telling to him of all that had befallen Of good and bad unto the rose garden. The king at once commanded that in arms His cavalry should charge the garden realm. He throned himself as monarch in the glade, And all the dwellers there were captive made. And as his wont, to happy make the world, He scattered wide his gold on every head. And everyone at once grew rich in life, And everyone a golden caftan wore. His hand was full of graciousness and gift, Wherewith he strewed the land on every side. He gave them such a mess of gold for prize That head to foot they glimmered with the ore. And thereupon the master of the realm His manner altered in a high degree.